Saab revamps Gripen jets: Sweden boosts aerial defense

The agreement includes integrating the aircraft with new weaponry, which will significantly enhance the capabilities of Swedish aviation. As Lars Tossman, Head of Aeronautics Business at Saab, stated, "Integrating new advanced missiles demonstrates our commitment to delivering high-quality solutions. We are proud to contribute to Sweden's defensive potential with this contract."

The JAS-39 Gripen aircraft, which made its debut in the air in 1988, has become a significant achievement of the Swedish aviation industry. The industry is also known for earlier models like the J35 Draken and the JA-37 Viggen.

When Poland organized the "tender of the century," the JAS-39 Gripen in the C/D variant was the most modern aircraft under consideration, although the American F-16 ultimately secured the contract. Initially, the Gripen faced typical issues of new designs, but these challenges were overcome in subsequent years, and the machine continues to be developed.

The designers of the Gripen followed Swedish requirements, including low operating costs and the ability to operate from ordinary road segments. The result was a modern aircraft with a wide range of applications and flight costs significantly lower compared to other models, including the F-16 and F-35.

Despite these advantages and modern solutions, the Gripen did not gain significant recognition in the international market, except in a few cases like the Czech Republic, Hungary (which leases these machines), Brazil, Thailand, and South Africa.

Political considerations often played a decisive role in such contracts. The Swedish offer could not compete with the support guarantees offered by more influential countries like the USA or France. However, the decreasing reliability of Russia as a global supplier of armaments, along with Sweden's accession to NATO, may positively impact the future of the Gripen.

Technically, the Gripen C/D is a single-engine machine built on a delta wing with a canard configuration, which ensures excellent maneuverability. The Gripen can carry up to 11,684 pounds of weaponry on eight mounts and is equipped with a 27 mm Mauser BK-27 cannon.

The Gripen's arsenal includes:

              
• JDAM family bombs,
• short-range air-to-air missiles AIM-9 Sidewinder,
• short-range air-to-air missiles IRIS-T,
• long-range air-to-air missiles MBDA Meteor,
• medium-range air-to-air missiles AIM-120 AMRAAM,
• cruise missiles Taurus KEPD 350,
• anti-ship missiles RBS-15F,
• MALD decoys.

In 2019, a new version emerged — Gripen E/F, characterized by, among other things, an increased takeoff weight of 36,376 pounds and an increased weapon carriage capability to 15,873 pounds. Additionally, it is equipped with an enhanced engine allowing supersonic flight without the use of afterburners.

The aircraft is equipped with an AESA radar and Skyward-G IRST system, enabling the detection of enemy thermal signatures from distances up to 62 miles. Thanks to these modifications, the Gripen is anticipated to be a formidable opponent in the air until the mid-21st century.